England international Guéhi, who joined the Club from Crystal Palace last Monday, steps straight into the centre of defence while Nunes – who has missed the last two games with a virus – is restored at right back.
Omar Marmoush, skipper Bernardo Silva and Antoine Semenyo also come into Pep Guardiola’s starting eleven.
From the side that began Tuesday’s Champions League loss away to Bodo/Glimt of Norway, Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, Rico Lewis, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Max Alleyne all revert to the bench.
Nico, Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias, John Stones, Savinho, Mateo Kovacic and Oscar Bobb all remain injured and unavailable for selection.
Teams
CITY XI: Donnarumma, Nunes, Khusanov, Guéhi, O’Reilly, Rodri, Bernardo (C), Reijnders, Semenyo, Cherki, Marmoush
Subs: Trafford, Ake, Haaland, Doku, Ait-Nouri, Foden, Mukasa, Alleyne, Lewis
WOLVES: Sa, Tchatchoua, Mosquera, S. Bueno, Krejci, H. Bueno, Andre, J. Gomes, Arias, Mane, Hwang
Subs: Johnstone, Doherty, Wolfe, Strand Larsen, Agbadou, Arokodare, Lima, R. Gomes, Lopez
Formation and tactics
Gianluigi Donnarumma will be the familiar figure in goal with the Italian set to be shielded by a back four of Nunes, Abdukodir Khusanov, Guéhi and Nico O’Reilly.
Rodri will be the holding anchor in midfield with skipper Bernardo Silva and Tijjani Reijnders also set to operate in the City engine room.
Omar Marmoush is primed to be City’s central striking focal point with Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo providing additional attacking support.
However, as always, such is City’s tactical and technical versatility those positions could be subject to change!
First footing
Marc Guéhi is handed an eagerly awaited City debut with his signing earlier this week having provided a real shot in the arm for the Blues.
The England international has emerged as one of the Premier’s League’s most talented and sought-after central defenders after a stellar number of years’ service at Crystal Palace.
Alongside the arrival of Antoine Semenyo earlier this month, it also means there has been a further injection of elite top quality talent into the City ranks.
A quiet, composed figure, Guéhi boasts the perfect blend of technical quality, pace, power allied to a superb reading of the game.
He also brings with him a wealth of topflight experience and, at the age of 25, is entering the prime years of his career.
On every level, Guéhi’s signing is a huge coup for City with today promising to be the start of a long and hopefully hugely successful career at the Etihad.
Squad goals
City will kick off this afternoon seeking to swiftly get back to winning ways after what has been a tough and uncharacteristic week results wise.
Last weekend’s 2-0 derby loss at Manchester United was then followed by a 3-1 UEFA Champions League defeat at Bodo/Glimt of Norway.
In the midst of what has been a relentless schedule, City have been hit hard by a raft of injuries to key personnel alongside illness and suspension with almost 10 senior players unavailable for the trip to Norway.
However, there is hopefully light on the horizon on the injury side with the welcome arrival of Semenyo and Guéhi also bolstering our selection options.
The other trademark of City during our incredible era under Pep has been the way we have always responded to a setback or adversity.
And a positive result this afternoon would be the perfect way to both reset and refocus with the Blues - let’s not forget it - still fighting for glory on four separate fronts.
Stats and facts
- City have won 10 of our last 11 Premier League games against Wolves, with the exception being a 2-1 loss at Molineux in September 2023.
- Wolves have won just one of their 11 Premier League away games against City (D1 L9), losing the last five in a row since a 2-0 victory in October 2019.
- City are unbeaten in our last 30 Premier League games against sides starting the day bottom of the table (W24 D6), since losing three in a row in November/December 2008 (vs Bolton, Spurs, West Brom). At home, we’ve won our last nine against bottom placed sides by an aggregate score of 36-0.
- Wolves are unbeaten in their last four Premier League games (W1 D3), earning twice as many points (6) in this run as they had in their previous 22 matches (W0 D3 L19).
- City have drawn our last two Premier League home games, letting a lead slip in 1-1 draws with both Chelsea and Brighton. We’ve not drawn three in a row at the Etihad since November/December 2023, also leading at some point in all three of those (vs Liverpool, Tottenham and Crystal Palace).
- No side has failed to score in more different Premier League games than Wolves this season (11). However, Rob Edwards’ side have kept a clean sheet in two of their last three league games, having conceded at least once in each of their previous 23.
- City striker Erling Haaland has scored more Premier League goals against Wolves than any other player (10). He’s netted exactly one goal, two goals, three goals and four goals in games against them, one of only three players to do so against an opponent after Robbie Fowler (vs Bolton) and Harry Kane (vs Leicester).
- Antoine Semenyo has been involved in 14 goals in his last 16 home appearances in all competitions (10 goals, 4 assists), scoring and assisting a goal in his only game for City at the Etihad Stadium so far.
- Since the start of December, 18-year-old Mateus Mané has the most goals (2), and goal involvements (3) for Wolves in the Premier League, while he also ranks second for most shots (12) and touches in the opposition box (15) for the club in that time.
City v Newcastle Second leg tickets available!
See the conclusion of what promises to be a thrilling final four tie at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday 4 February.
Newcastle are the holders of the Carabao Cup and will be determined to hold on to their crown, while City are seeking a ninth success in League Cup history.
Tickets start from £20 for adults and £10 for concessions, while a wide range of hospitality packages are also on offer to make it a special occasion!
*On sale to Season Ticket Members and existing Cityzens Matchday and Junior Members (as of Tue 16 Dec 2025) who have purchased 1+ home fixtures at the Etihad Stadium. 4 tickets per person.
